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Interview with Doreen Pendgracs, chocolate travel expert and author of Chocolatour: A Quest for the World’s Best Chocolate, about her chocolate events
This was a a stop on a virtual book tour for Chocolatour: A Quest for the World’s Best Chocolate where I interviewed the author about her chocolate events. I met Doreen Pendgracs through online blogging communities and discovered we lived within 50 miles of each other. Doreen is immersed in the world of fine chocolate and has been a key note speaker at chocolate festivals and events.
In Chocolatour: A Quest for the World’s Best Chocolate, Doreen introduces readers to chocolatiers, chocolate makers, cocoa growers, and insiders at chocolate events and attractions around the world. Volume One features the best of Europe and the UK. The book’s A-Z Guide for Chocolate Lovers provides introductions to noteworthy chocolate companies across the globe. Doreen is currently researching Volume Two, which will feature the best of the Americas and the Caribbean.
Doreen has hosted Exploring the Flavours of Chocolate events, special evenings of chocolate education accompanied by a three-course dinner, at McNally Robinson Booksellers in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Similar future events are planned. I asked Doreen about the events.
Q: What happens at an Exploring the Many Flavours of Chocolate event?
At the “Exploring the Many Flavours of Chocolate” dinners we’ve been having at McNally Robinson Booksellers in Winnipeg, I start out by doing a talk about where chocolate comes from (literally – as far as growing regions are concerned – and figuratively, with respect to how the cacao is processed into cocoa liquor that then becomes chocolate. I have photos of cocoa farms from where I’ve been and cocoa pods for everyone to see and handle. We then begin the meal with a seasonal appetizer (a special soup or salad) that features cocoa/chocolate, have more chocolate chat before the main course, enjoy a delicious entrée that features the savoury side of cocoa, have more chocolate chat, and then wrap up the evening with some chocolate tasting and a spectacular chocolate-based dessert. It’s three hours of chocolate education and enjoyment rolled into a delectable event.
Q: How did the idea for the event come about?
These dinners are run as part of the Community Classroom program at McNally Robinson. As there is an increasing interest in how our food is made and where it comes from, I’m happy to share the findings of my research with chocolate lovers in the classroom as part of these events – and in my book, Chocolatour: A Quest for the World’s Best Chocolate. To date, I’ve visited more than a dozen countries, meeting cocoa growers, chocolate makers and chocolatiers, and attending various chocolate events around the world. I had no idea, when I began my research, that it would become such an intensive project, but I quickly learned that Belgium and other European countries may make chocolate, but they don’t grow cacao, and so there is quite an extensive process that takes the beans from the farm or plantation, to a processing plant, and eventually into the chocolate workshops where it is turned miraculously into chocolate.

Chocolate hazelnut dessert at the April 2014 Exploring the Flavours of Chocolate dinner
(Photo credit: Doreen Pendgracs)
Q: Might we see some of the recipes in upcoming volumes of Chocolatour: A Quest for the World’s Best Chocolate?
Doreen continues to work on editions of Chocolatour and host a variety of events, including mindful chocolate tastings and chocolate and wine pairings. Check her event page.
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25 Comments
Paul Graham
June 29, 2014 at 1:39 pmDonna, a very well structured interview and Doreen, a lot of very good information. I will likely be back in Ontario late October so would appreciate any details regarding the Toronto Chocolate Festival. Thanks !
Donna Janke
June 30, 2014 at 7:43 pmThanks Paul.
Irene S. Levine
June 30, 2014 at 5:33 amExcellent interview, Donna! And, of course, chocolate is always a great topic for any blog post:-)
Donna Janke
June 30, 2014 at 7:44 pmThanks Irene. It’s hard to find someone who doesn’t like to hear about chocolate (except, perhaps, for one friend who is allergic).
Doreen Pendgracs
June 30, 2014 at 7:44 amHi Donna. Thanks so much for hosting me on the virtual book tour. It was fun talking about the chocolate events with you.
Paul, you can subscribe to updates about the TO Chocolate Fest at http://www.torontochocolatefestival.com/. Irene, nice to see you here as well.
santafetraveler
June 30, 2014 at 8:09 amA virtual book tour is a great idea. Chocolate: what a tough subject to write about-lol.
Donna Janke
June 30, 2014 at 7:44 pmIt was fun to participate in the book tour.
A Taste for Travel
June 30, 2014 at 10:39 amMcNally Robinson is such a wonderful bookstore. It’s one of the things I miss most about living in Winnipeg. The chocolate dinner sounds wonderful but I do hope to catch Doreen at her Toronto event.
Donna Janke
June 30, 2014 at 7:43 pmI love McNally Robinson. And the Community Classroom is great. That’s where Doreen’s events take place. They offer a variety of interesting seminar topics. I’ve attended several.
SuzanneS
June 30, 2014 at 2:05 pmWonderful interview Donna, there is so much to learn about chocolate. No one can say the word chocolate without a smile! Thank you for spreading the word about this interesting and wonderful book.
Donna Janke
June 30, 2014 at 7:45 pmThanks Suzanne. Chocolate and smiles – yep!
Nat n Tim
June 30, 2014 at 3:32 pmGreat idea for a book and book tour. We wish you much success!
Doreen Pendgracs
June 30, 2014 at 9:25 pmThanks to everyone for your good wishes about my book! You’re right, Suzanne! No matter where I go in the world, when you say the word ‘chocolate’ people always do smile. It’s the universal language of love. As one of the chocolatiers I interviewed said, ‘Choco,ate is the love drug!’ Enjoy!
JourneyJottings
June 30, 2014 at 10:45 pmNow, that’s what I call an informative interview –
So many enticing details – Looks as though your quest will not only take you around the world to search for the elixir – but looks like holding chocolate events to educate and share the wonderful tastes Doreen are now on the menu 🙂
Robin
July 1, 2014 at 6:57 amThanks for sharing informative blog
Suzanne Fluhr
July 1, 2014 at 12:29 pmI think Doreen’s chocolate dinners are a great marketing and tasting opportunity. It might be time to take them on the road to other towns, cities and countries — with a little help from other travel bloggers for marketing. Having heard Doreen speak at the Hawaii Chocolate Festival in Honolulu, I can attest to the fact that she is an engaging and informative speaker.
Doreen Pendgracs
July 2, 2014 at 8:00 pmSuzanne, you just may be my #1 marketer! I am so very grateful for your friendship and support. I’d love to do a chocolate talk in Philly! Maybe we can work that our for 2015.
Cathy Sweeney
July 1, 2014 at 3:08 pmNice interview. Chocolate is a wonderful thing. Doreen is onto something here with a delicious combination of chocolate and travel. Maybe the world would be a happier place if we all just went on a quest for the best chocolate.
Donna Janke
July 2, 2014 at 9:35 amYou may be on to something Cathy. In her book, Doreen talks about chocolate encouraging our bodies to make serotonin. Also that dark chocolate releases endorphins in our body, chemicals that act as natural anti-depressants. And travel usually makes me happy as well.
Doreen Pendgracs
July 2, 2014 at 8:02 pmRight on, Donna and Cathy! My dream is to encourage the world to travel in search of incredible chocolate experiences. And I will be your eager guide …
Patti
July 1, 2014 at 5:59 pmOh my… that photo of the chocolate hazelnut dessert is to die for! Nice interview, and the idea of recipes is a good one – deliciously so!
Anita Oliver
July 3, 2014 at 9:50 amA dinner featuring the varied tastes of chocolate … I’d buy a ticket in a minute if I was anywhere nearby! What a great and original idea and a winning concept!
Michelle
July 4, 2014 at 1:22 amThat chocolate hazelnut dessert has me convinced that I must do my best to make it to one of your events! I know that you are so very busy right now. I truly wish I could do something to help. I definitely will help promote your book and purchase one or three 🙂
Julie Conway
July 4, 2014 at 9:51 amIf there is chocolate, they will come! I love to try different chocolate when I travel to Europe. Chocolate and travel – what a brilliant combination.
Doreen Pendgracs
May 12, 2017 at 7:38 amThx to everyone for your support of the idea of chocolate travels. If you’re interested, we’ve just launched the itinerary for a Chocolatour to Hawaii with yours truly as the host. Details at http://chocolatour.net/events/. Mahalo!